2003 NISSAN SENTRA steering

PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) sec-
tion contains important information concerning
the driver and passenger supplemental front air
bags, supplemental side air bags and preten-
sioner seat belts.
Supplemental front impact air bag system:
This system can help cushion the impact force to
the face and chest of the driver and front passen-
ger in certain frontal collisions.
Supplemental side-impact air bag system
(if so equipped):This system can help cushion
the impact force to the chest area of the driver
and front passenger in certain side impact colli-
sions. The supplemental side air bag is designed
to inflate on the side where the vehicle is im-
pacted.
These supplemental restraint systems are de-
signed tosupplementthe crash protection pro-
vided by the driver and front passenger seat belts
and arenot a substitutefor them. Seat belts
should always be correctly worn and the driver
and front passenger seated a suitable distance
away from the steering wheel, instrument paneland front door finishers. (See “Seat belts” later in
this section for instructions and precautions on
seat belt usage.)
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
1-6Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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WARNING
cThe supplemental front air bags ordi-
narily will not inflate in the event of a
side impact, rear impact, rollover, or
lower severity frontal collision. Always
wear your seat belts to help reduce the
risk or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.cThe seat belts and the supplemental
front air bags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and upright in
the seat. The front air bags inflate with
great force. If you are unrestrained,
leaning forward, sitting sideways or out
of position in any way, you are at
greater risk of injury or death in a crash.
You may also receive serious or fatal
injuries from the supplemental front air
bag if you are up against it when it
inflates. Always sit back against the
seatback and as far away as practical
from the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Always use the seat belts.cKeep hands on the outside of the steer-
ing wheel. Placing them inside the
steering wheel rim could increase the
risk that they are injured when the
supplemental front air bag inflates.
0
WRS0031
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-7
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1. Supplemental front air bag modules
2. Supplemental side air bag modules (if
so equipped)
3. Satellite sensors (if so equipped)
4. Seat belt pre-tensioner retractor
5. Diagnosis sensor unit
Supplemental front air bag system
The driver supplemental front air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The passenger
supplemental front air bag is mounted in the
dashboard above the glove box.
These systems are designed to meet optional
certification requirements under U.S. regulations.They are also permitted in Canada. The optional
certification allows the front air bags to be de-
signed to inflate somewhat less forcefully than
previously.However, all of the information,
cautions and warnings in this manual still
apply and must be followed.
The supplemental front air bag system is de-
signed to inflate in higher severity frontal colli-
sions, although it may inflate if the forces in an-
other type of collision are similar to those of a
higher severity frontal impact. It may not inflate in
certain frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack
of it) is not always an indication of proper supple-
mental front air bag system operation.
SSS0162WRS0135
1-12Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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When the supplemental front air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by the
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and
does not indicate a fire. Care should be taken to
not inhale it, as it may cause irritation and chok-
ing. Those with a history of a breathing condition
should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental front air bags, along with the use of
seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the face and chest of the front occupants. They
can help save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating front air bag may cause
facial abrasions or other injuries. Front air bags
do not provide restraint to the lower body.
Seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as
practical away from the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel. The supplemental front air bags in-
flate quickly in order to help protect the front
occupants. Because of this, the force of the front
air bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if
the occupant is too close to, or is against, the
front air bag module during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WARNING
cDo not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous projec-
tiles and cause injury if the supplemen-
tal front air bag inflates.
cRight after inflation, several front air
bag system components will be hot. Do
not touch them; you may severely burn
yourself.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This is
to prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage to the
supplemental air bag system.cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end structure.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental front air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental front
air bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly by placing
material over the steering wheel pad
and above the instrument panel or by
installing additional trim material
around the air bag system.
cWork around and on the supplemental
front air bag system should be done by
a NISSAN dealer. Installation of electri-
cal equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. The Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) wiring should not
be modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used on
the air bag system.
cA cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified re-
pair facility. A cracked windshield could
affect inflation of the supplemental air
bag system.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-13
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1. Headlight and turn signal switch
(P. 2-16)
2. Meters/gauges (P. 2-3)
3. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-15)
4. Heater/air conditioner control (P. 4-2)
5. Storage compartment (P. 2-23)
6. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-19)
7. Center ventilators (P. 4-2)
8. Passenger supplemental air bag (P. 1-6)
9. Glove box (P. 2-22)
10. Pocket
11. 12 volt DC/cigarette lighter (accessory)
(P. 2-20)
12. 12 volt DC/cigarette lighter (accessory)
(if so equipped) (P. 2-20)
13. Radio/CD player/CD changer (P. 4-10)
14. Cruise control and main set switch
(P. 5-13)
15. Tilt steering lock lever (P. 3-13)
16. Trunk release Type B (P. 3-9)
17. Fuel filler lid opening lever (P. 3-12)
18. Driver supplemental air bag (P. 1-6)
19. Hood release lever (P. 3-9)
20. Fuse box cover/coin holder
(P. 8-31, 2-22)
21. Trunk release Type A (P. 3-9)
22. Instrument brightness control switch
(P. 2-18)
23. Outside mirror control switch (P. 3-15)
WIC0433
INSTRUMENT PANEL
2-2Instruments and controls
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Push the switch on to warn other drivers when
you must stop or park under emergency condi-
tions. All turn signal lights flash.
WARNING
cIf stopping for an emergency, be sure to
move the vehicle well off the road.
cDo not use the hazard warning flashers
while moving on the highway unless
unusual circumstances force you to
drive so slowly that your vehicle might
become a hazard to other traffic.cTurn signals do not work when the haz-
ard warning flasher lights are on.
The flashers will operate with the ignition switch
in any position.
Some state laws may prohibit the use of
the hazard warning flasher switch while
driving.
To sound the horn, push the center pad area of
the steering wheel.
WARNING
Do not disassemble the horn. Doing so
could affect proper operation of the
supplemental front air bag system. Tam-
pering with the supplemental front air bag
system may result in serious personal
injury.
WIC0248WIC0249
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
SWITCHHORN
Instruments and controls2-19
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3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys .............................................3-2
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System (NVIS)
keys (if so equipped)............................3-2
Doors............................................3-3
Locking with key................................3-3
Locking with inside lock knob....................3-4
Locking with power door lock switch (if so
equipped).....................................3-4
Child safety rear door lock.......................3-5
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped).........3-5
How to use remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Battery replacement............................3-8
Hood............................................3-9
Trunk lid..........................................3-9Opener operation...............................3-9
Key operation.................................3-11
Interior trunk lid release........................3-11
Fuel filler lid......................................3-12
Opener operation..............................3-12
Fuel filler cap..................................3-12
Steering wheel...................................3-13
Tilt operation..................................3-13
Sun visors.......................................3-14
Vanity mirror (if so equipped)....................3-14
Mirrors..........................................3-14
Inside mirror..................................3-14
Outside mirrors...............................3-15
Outside mirror remote control...................3-15
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cDo not fill a portable fuel container in
the vehicle or trailer. Static electricity
can cause an explosion of flammable
liquid, vapor or gas in any vehicle or
trailer. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death when filling portable fuel
containers:
– Always place the container on the
ground when filling.
– Do not use electronic devices when
filling.
– Keep the pump nozzle in contact
with the container while you are fill-
ing it.
– Use only approved portable fuel con-
tainers for flammable liquid.
CAUTION
cIf fuel is spilled on the vehicle body,
flush it away with water to avoid paint
damage.cTighten until the fuel filler cap clicks.
Failure to tighten the fuel filler cap
properly may cause the
mal-
function indicator lamp (MIL) to illumi-
nate. If the
lamp illuminates be-
cause the fuel filler cap is loose or
missing, tighten or install the cap and
continue to drive the vehicle.
The
lamp should turn off after a
few driving trips. If the
lamp
does not turn off after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer.
cFor additional information, see the
“Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)” in
the “Instruments and Controls” section
earlier in this manual.
TILT OPERATION
Pull the lock lever downsAand adjust the steer-
ing wheel up or down
sBto the desired position.
Push the lock lever up firmly to lock the steering
wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.
WPD0123
STEERING WHEEL
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-13
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